What Is Stem Cell Research?

A relatively new technology that involves using human cells to create any type of cell, such as brain cells, blood cells and other tissues, has many people asking the question,

What is stem cell research?

Researchers and scientists expect great things to come from the use of stem cell therapy, especially cures for diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. On the other hand, many people are fearful that such research will lead to the cloning of human beings, which is regarded as unethical in most circles. Other concerns also come from the destruction of human embryos to conduct scientific research.

However, there is actually more than one type of stem cell. Primarily, these cells are extracted either from adult tissue or from embryos. Embryonic stem cells can be created in a lab solely for research, or they may come from the embryos that are leftover from in-vitro fertilization procedures. Adult stem cells are extracted from the adult’s own tissue.

Even though some might say that it is easier and more beneficial to obtain stem cells from embryos, just as many people out there do not agree. It has been proven that patients are exposed to less risk when transplanted cells are harvested from their own tissue. In addition, adult stem cells have been known to provide positive results when used for medical treatments, while it is yet to be determined that embryonic cells are as beneficial.

To answer the question “what is stem cell research?” completely, you must also have an understanding of the legal issues that relate to stem cell exploration. In the United States, the conducting of research on stem cells is legal, even for cloning humans.

Just over a decade ago, then U.S. President George W. Bush authorized the spending of federal funds to conduct research on more than sixty lines of stem cells. The restriction to these few cells is due to the fact that the issues regarding life and death have been decided already. In other words, these stem cells are capable of infinite, independent regeneration. However, more recently in 2009, reigning U.S. President Barack Obama reversed the policy, which made it possible to use federal funding toward even more lines of stem cells.

In countries outside the United States, the degree of research allowed on stem cells varies. Some countries, such as Sweden, Japan and the UK, have ordered the study of stem cells legal, including human cloning. Other countries, such as France, Canada and Australia permit research on leftover embryonic cells and adult stem cells; however, they do not allow any type of human cloning. The most restrictive laws on stem cell research are in Poland, Ireland and Austria.

Once you know the answer to the popular question, “what is stem cell research”, you will be able to form your own personal opinion, evaluate the pros and cons of such research and determine where you think the line should be drawn.